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bbc.com
Estate of late tycoon Mike Lynch to pay damages of £920m
Judge rules that Hewlett-Packard Enterprise was owed damages for the £8.2bn acquisition of Autonomy in 2011.
bbc.com
UK inflation rate stays at 3% before Iran war hits oil prices
The speed of price rises in the UK has stayed the same, according to data which was collected before the US-Israel war with Iran began.
theguardian.com
ECB could raise eurozone rates ‘as soon as next month’; oil price dips on peace talk hopes – business live
UK inflation stays at 3% in February as petrol prices fall and food inflation eases, before Iran war drives up global energy costsAs inflation and interest rate expectations have shifted dramatically since the start of the Iran war, fixed mortgage rates have gone up. Financial markets are now pricing in several interest rate hikes from the Bank of England, rather than cuts.The average two-year fix has risen from 4.83% at the start of March to 5.56% today – the highest since September 2024, according to Moneyfacts. Mortgage rates have inverted, where the five-year is now priced lower than the two-year fix.The turmoil in fixed mortgage rate pricing has worsened, as ongoing hikes have made the two- and five-year fixed rates invert, where five-year is slightly cheaper on average. Swap rates have been inverted for a few days now, so it was only a matter of time for the market to catch up. There is hope this will be a temporary blip until the markets settle down, but it depends how long volatility prolongs. This is unusual, however, its all down to how the markets foresee interest rate setting, many expect higher rates over the shorter-term.This abnormality happened after the fall out from the mini-budget, and it took around three years for the inversion to end. In a traditional market, the average two-year fixed deal would be lower than the five-year, but the unrest in the Middle East is causing concerns over path of interest rate setting, with inflation expected to spike in the months ahead.If deals come back within the coming days, they will likely be at inflated rates to catch up with the current state of play. After all, a volatile mortgage market tends to be a more expensive one.Seeking advice will be essential right now, but even brokers are rushed off their feet trying to keep on top of the mortgage mayhem.We know there will be an impact on our economy from the events in the Middle East. We are making assessments as to what those impacts could be, so that we are prepared and resilient should any of the waves being created in that region begin lapping at our shores.My department has begun outreach to a whole variety of businesses deep into the roots of the economy. Everything will be assessed – supply chains and products that are central to a thriving and successful economy and society. Continue reading...
bbc.com
We need more plumbers and fewer lawyers in AI age, says BlackRock boss
Larry Fink also warns if oil prices stay high for a sustained period it will have "profound implications" for the world economy.
cnbc.com
Recession odds climb on Wall Street as economy shows cracks beneath the surface
Economists have pulled up their risk assessments of a contraction amid heightened uncertainty over geopolitical risk and a labor market slump.
theguardian.com
Political donations in cryptocurrency could be blocked in blow to Reform UK
Government review also recommends donations from Britons abroad be capped potentially at £300,000 a yearUK politics live – latest updatesPolitical funding from British citizens living abroad should be capped at between £100,000 and £300,000 a year and donations in cryptocurrency temporarily banned, a government review has recommended.The findings by Philip Rycroft, a former permanent secretary at the Home Office, will be a blow to Reform UK, which has received about £12m in the last year from the Thai-based investor Christopher Harborne and other donations from a number of donors based in Monaco. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Oil price falls as Trump talks up Iran peace negotiations
Tehran has rejected claims of talks, with one official questioning the US's diplomatic credibility.
cnbc.com
Treasury yields tumble as Trump talks up Iran ceasefire plan
U.S. Treasury yields ticked lower on Wednesday amid hopes of a potential peace plan in the Middle East.
cnbc.com
CNBC's UK Exchange newsletter: Why UK bonds bore the brunt of the Iran sell-off
The rise in borrowing costs has grave implications for the UK government's ability to hit its fiscal targets should the conflict remain protracted.
cnbc.com
Iran has received Trump's 15-point plan to end war, report says; President says 'in negotiations right now'
It comes amid a messaging clash between the U.S. and Iran on peace negotiations.
cnbc.com
Merck to buy Terns Pharmaceuticals for $6.7 billion to boost cancer pipeline
Merck is trying to bulk up its portfolio ahead of its best-selling cancer drug Keytruda losing patent protection in 2028.
cnbc.com
European markets open higher as U.S. seeks end to Iran conflict
European stocks opened higher on Wednesday as the U.S. showed more signs it was trying to de-escalate the war with Iran.
theguardian.com
Estate of Mike Lynch ordered to pay £920m to Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Ruling linked to takeover of Autonomy in 2011 comes two years after tech tycoon died in superyacht disasterThe estate of the late British tech tycoon Mike Lynch has been ordered to pay £920m to the technology company Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) two years after he died in a superyacht disaster.The ruling by London’s high court said the estate was liable to pay the sum as compensation, costs and interest for the acquisition of Lynch’s firm Autonomy by Hewlett-Packard (HP), after a UK legal ruling in 2022 that he duped the US company into paying £8.2bn for the software firm. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Gold jumps 2% as oil slump eases inflation fears amid Trump Iran talks
Gold climbed as declining oil prices helped temper worries over persistent inflation following reports that Washington is working on a proposal to bring an end to the Middle East conflict.
cnbc.com
South Korea braces for 'worst-case scenarios' as Iran oil shock deepens
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok warned the government must prepare for "worst-case scenarios" stemming from the Middle East conflict.
cnbc.com
The Gulf built a global events empire, now war is putting it on ice
As war grounds flights and threatens to destabilize the region's carefully built future, events from cultural to crypto have been quietly rescheduled.
cnbc.com
Oil prices fall as Iran signals safe passage for ‘non-hostile’ ships through Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices fell after Donald Trump that Washington and Tehran are "in negotiations right now" and indicated Iran is keen to reach a peace agreement.
theguardian.com
Trump’s war in Iran exposes US’s shift from a global guardian to an arbiter of chaos
The US is recklessly spreading economic havoc among global friends and foes while suffering little harm itselfTo shield ordinary Indians from the war in Iran, the government in Delhi redirected supplies of liquefied gas to Indian families, for which it is the main cooking fuel, limiting supplies to the plastics industry. The Nepalese government rationed gas and the Philippines trimmed the government workweek to four days. Bangladesh closed universities and rationed fuel.They have been hardest hit by Iran’s closure of the strait of Hormuz. Economies in Asia import over a third of the energy they consume, on average. Korea imports four-fifths; Japan nine-tenths; Thailand 55%. Most of this comes from the Gulf. About 80% of oil and oil products transiting through the strait in 2025 was destined for Asia, according to the International Energy Agency. But traffic through its waters has collapsed by 90%. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Arm jumps 13% in premarket after saying first in-house chip set to generate $15 billion in revenue
Arm said it expects its new chip to generate six times more revenue in 2031 than the $4 billion it made in 2025.
cnbc.com
‘Asia’s Ukraine moment’: How the Iran war could accelerate a shift into renewables
The fallout from the sprawling Middle East conflict is expected to represent a watershed moment for the energy transition.
cnbc.com
Denmark’s PM Frederiksen suffers election setback after standing up to Trump over Greenland
Frederiksen had sought to capitalize on popular support after standing up to Trump's push to annex Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory.
theguardian.com
Europe could face Iran war fuel rationing by April, says Shell boss
Wael Sawan says energy shortages on way if strait of Hormuz does not reopen to oil and gas shippingMiddle East crisis – live updatesBusiness live – latest updatesEurope could face energy shortages and fuel rationing as soon as next month without a reopening of the strait of Hormuz, Shell’s chief executive has said.The boss of Europe’s biggest oil company said it was working with governments to help them address the oil and gas supply crisis, which has already led to energy rationing in Asian countries. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Fuel prices begin to fall in Ireland after excise duty cuts
The excise duty has been dropped by 20 cent on a litre of diesel and by 15 cent for petrol until the end of May.
theguardian.com
Hundreds of UK teenagers to trial six-week social media curbs for major study
Government’s pilot ban for under-16s accompanies consultation as peers vote on Australia-style restrictionsHundreds of UK teenagers will trial social media bans, digital curfews and time limits on apps under a government pilot, which will run alongside a consultation to decide whether the UK should ban access to social media for the under-16s.During the test, led by the UK government, a proportion of 300 teens across all four nations of the UK will have their social apps disabled, “mimicking the enforcement of a social media ban at home”. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Meta makes 'big bet' on top leaders with stock options as pressure builds to catch up in AI
Meta is granting stock options to top executives as pressure on the company intensifies in the AI battle.
cnbc.com
Private credit’s ‘zero-loss fantasy’ is coming to an end as defaults and fund exits rise
Private credit is expected to see a surge in defaults as investors continue to pull money from the sector.
bbc.com
Will UK interest rates fall any time soon?
The interest rate set by the Bank of England affects mortgage, loan and savings rates for millions.
bbc.com
When will the cash Isa saving limits change?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced changes to cash Isa rules, but what are they and how do they work?
theguardian.com
‘Doge of the left’ could save UK taxpayers up to £30bn, says new green thinktank
Report by Verdant says rooting out waste, fraud and tax avoidance would save money that could help improve public servicesA “Doge of the left,” could save up to £30bn a year for taxpayers by rooting out waste, fraud and tax avoidance, according to the first report from a new green thinktank.Launched amid growing interest in the future manifesto of Zack Polanksi’s Green party, the Verdant thinktank will be co-chaired by James Meadway, a former adviser to Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell, and civil society campaigner Deborah Doane. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Pop Mart shares plunge over 22% as concerns over sustainability of Labubu sales dwarf stellar results
the Beijing-based toy maker posted annual revenue of 37.1 billion yuan ($5.4 billion) for 2025, up 185% from a year earlier, just shy of LSEG estimates of 38 billion yuan.
cnbc.com
It’s not just oil and gas. The Strait of Hormuz blockage is rattling another vital commodity
“I'm a lot more concerned about the current crisis than I was when Russia-Ukraine happened four years ago,” one fund manager told CNBC.
bbc.com
Why are UK prices still rising?
UK Inflation has dropped back from record highs but remains above the Bank of England's 2% target.
cnbc.com
Don't be fooled by the UK's pre-war inflation print — a 'brutal' surge could be coming
The U.K. inflation rate stood firm at 3% in February, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
cnbc.com
What comes after Labubu? Inside Pop Mart’s next grow play
Pop Mart is betting on films, theme parks and global expansion to turn Labubu into a lasting franchise, even as the initial craze fades.
theguardian.com
UK inflation held at 3% before global energy price hit from Iran war
February annual rate in line with expectations, but Food and Drink Federation fears it is ‘calm before storm’Business live – latest updatesThe UK inflation rate held steady at 3% in February, before Donald Trump’s Iran war drove up global energy costs, threatening a renewed price jump.Official figures showed the consumer prices index remained at the same level as the previous month, in line with economists’ expectations but still well above the government’s 2% target. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
We’re letting big corporations gamble with our lives. Act now, or the food could run out | George Monbiot
The fragility of the global food system fills me with dread – and the war with Iran has exposed just how close to collapse it is The fate of environmentalists is to spend their lives trying not to be proved right. Vindication is what we dread. But there’s one threat that haunts me more than any other: the collapse of the global food system. We cannot predict what the immediate trigger might be. But the war with Iran is just the right kind of event.Drawing on years of scientific data, I’ve been arguing for some time that this risk exists – and that governments are completely unprepared for it. In 2023, I made a submission to a parliamentary inquiry into environmental change and food security, with a vast list of references. Called as a witness, I spent much of the time explaining that the issue was much wider than the inquiry’s scope.George Monbiot is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Sanctioned Iran leader Mojtaba Khamenei gets another blue checkmark on X — then it disappears
Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, managed to subscribe to X Premium on his English-language account before his blue check was eventually removed.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Plan for peace or a wish list?
Sentiment turns positive as the U.S. claims to be in active negotiations with Iran, while details emerge of a potential path to peace.
cnbc.com
David Blitzer and Blackstone-backed group snaps up Indian cricket franchise for $1.8 billion
Indian cricket franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru has been acquired for $1.78 billion by a consortium of global and Indian investors.
bbc.com
OpenAI closes Sora video-making app and cancels $1bn Disney deal
The move comes less two years after the launch of the AI video app sent shockwaves through the media industry.
theguardian.com
ABC strike: national broadcaster switches to BBC programming as staff walk off the job for 24 hours
Managing director Hugh Marks says broadcaster will not back down on workers’ demands despite severe disruption to television, radio and digitalGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore than 2,000 ABC staff around Australia have walked off the job for a 24-hour strike, forcing ABC services across TV, radio and digital to use BBC World Service and repeat programming.The ABC managing director, Hugh Marks, was defiant and said the ABC would not back down on staff demands, despite the severe disruption. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Meta must pay $375 million for violating New Mexico law in child exploitation case, jury rules
Jury reaches a verdict in New Mexico trial in which the state's attorney general alleged that Meta failed to safeguard its family of apps from child predators.
cnbc.com
SK Hynix files confidentially for U.S. listing as it rides 'unprecedented growth' in memory market
SK Hynix has made a confidential filing for a potential listing in the U.S. this year, as the company looks to expand production.
theguardian.com
Hundreds of ABC staff walk out of Melbourne office as Australia-wide strike begins - video
Hundreds of staff from the ABC's Southbank office in Melbourne walked off the job for a 24-hour strike, forcing ABC services across TV, radio and digital to use BBC News content and repeat programming. Melbourne-based ABC journalist Daniel Ziffer said staff were striking because they have seen 'real cuts to real wages'ABC switches to BBC programming as staff walk off the job for 24-hour strike Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Hong Kong bookstore staff arrested for allegedly selling ‘seditious’ Jimmy Lai biography, broadcaster reports
Owner of Book Punch store and three staff accused of selling copies of a biography of Jimmy Lai, a jailed pro-democracy activist and publisherHong Kong police arrested a bookstore owner and three shopkeepers on Tuesday for allegedly selling “seditious” publications including a biography of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai, broadcaster TVB reported.The owner of the Book Punch store, Pong Yat-ming, and three staff were accused of selling copies of The Troublemaker, a biography of Lai by one of his former business directors, Mark Clifford, TVB reported. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Wildly unaffordable': The harsh reality of shared ownership
For many, the promise of getting a foot on the property ladder has turned into a nightmare.
bbc.com
Oil traders bet millions minutes before Trump's Iran talks post
Market data shows the amount of oil trade rose before the US President said he would postpone attacks on Iran's power plants.
bbc.com
Meta told to pay $375m for misleading users over child safety
The owner of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp has been found liable by a court in New Mexico.
theguardian.com
Meta ordered to pay $375m after being found liable in child exploitation case
New Mexico hails ‘historic’ win after jury finds firm misled consumers over safety and enabled harm against usersA New Mexico jury on Tuesday ordered Meta to pay $375m in civil penalties after it found the company misled consumers about the safety of its platforms and enabled harm, including child sexual exploitation, against its users.This is the first jury trial to find Meta liable for acts committed on its platform. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Oil above $100 over conflicting claims on US-Iran talks
The US repeated claims it is in discussions with Iran while Shell warned oil shortages will hit Europe.
bbc.com
Social media bans and digital curfews to be trialled on UK teenagers
The government will interview the young people and their parents before and after they try the limits to assess their impact.
theguardian.com
Anthropic and Pentagon face off in court over ban on company’s AI model
After Anthropic refused to let its AI to be used in autonomous weapons systems, Trump ordered US agencies to quit using itSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxAnthropic faced against the Department of Defense in a federal court on Tuesday afternoon, as the artificial intelligence company seeks a temporary pause on the government’s decision to bar the US military and any contractors from using its technology. The two sides have been locked in an escalating feud over Anthropic’s refusal to allow its Claude AI chatbot to be used for domestic mass surveillance and fully autonomous lethal weapons. Donald Trump has ordered all US government agencies to stop using Anthropic’s tools, which the company is also contesting.Representatives for the AI firm and the government appeared in a northern California district court, where Judge Rita Lin presided over the hearing for a temporary injunction. The hearing is one of the first steps in Anthropic’s lawsuit against the defense department, which it filed earlier this month after Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, declared the company a supply chain risk – a designation that Anthropic alleges will cause irreparable harm and cost hundreds of millions or more in revenue. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on the Iran war: energy, markets and a dangerous illusion | Editorial
Markets and the Treasury are pricing a quick exit. Without a credible political endgame, Donald Trump cannot deliver oneWhatever else Donald Trump’s “pause” is, it is not a ceasefire. Iranian barrages targeted Israel, Gulf Arab states and northern Iraq on Tuesday, while Israeli and US warplanes struck across Iran. What Mr Trump’s statement did was to narrow US targets to exclude power plants and energy infrastructure to calm jittery markets. But the fighting continues. With reports that the US is considering boots on the ground, Washington is waging war while searching for an exit – without a credible or unified negotiating position, as Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu pursues his own agenda.Mr Trump’s strategy, if he has one, might be to soothe markets now – and launch a massive escalatory strike over the weekend when trading desks are closed, in the hope of forcing the Iranian regime to fracture or capitulate. This rests on the idea that Tehran is brittle and will crack under American “shock and awe”. Sir Keir Starmer’s implicit judgment is that Iran will not cave. That disagreement may have been enough to send him to Mr Trump’s doghouse. Britain must stay out of US-Israeli adventurism. The war’s constraint is not capability – Washington has plenty of air power and Iran offers plenty of targets. But nothing can be resolved without a politically achievable objective.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on vets: there is nothing cuddly about this under-regulated market | Editorial
The watchdog’s finding that pet owners have been charged £1bn too much is a scandalThe conclusion of the UK competition watchdog’s investigation of vet chains will come as a relief to millions of pet owners. Last year’s consultation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) produced a whopping 56,000 responses, many of which complained about high prices. As expected, new rules will be focused on making the market work better for consumers, who the CMA finds have overpaid roughly £1bn in fees over five years.This is a scandalous finding. While the changes confirmed this week are welcome, they are also overdue. Ministers were clearly not paying enough attention as the veterinary sector went through an unusually rapid transformation. In 2013, just 10% of vet practices were owned by large groups, the rest being independents. Now, 60% are wholly or partly owned by one of six large groups – three of which are owned by private equity investors.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Pakistan offers to facilitate U.S.-Iran war talks as Trump and Tehran give mixed signals
Trump said top U.S. negotiators and their Iranian counterparts have been engaged in "very, very strong talks," but Tehran has denied that claim.
theguardian.com
Royal Mail owner pushes back against criticisms that service has declined
Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský ‘deeply sorry’ for late letters but says Royal Mail is delivering a service ‘nobody else in Europe is doing’Daniel Křetínský, the Czech billionaire who bought Royal Mail’s parent company for £3.6bn last year, has insisted that service has not declined under his ownership, despite heavy criticism of late deliveries and price rises.In a defensive and sometimes impassioned performance in front of MPs on the business select committee, Křetínský said he was “deeply sorry” for any letters that arrive late. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Royal Mail staff say they were told to hide post to look like delivery targets met
BBC Your Voice hears from postal workers who say "take the mail for ride" is a common phrase.
cnbc.com
Strait of Hormuz tanker traffic won't return to normal for months, Kalshi bettors predict
Prediction market bettors aren't confident that the vital Middle Eastern oil passageway will reopen anytime soon.
theguardian.com
Crispin Odey: I can’t remember telling female employee ‘I could attack you now’
Hedge fund tycoon faces questions in court over sexual harassment allegations that have left his career in tattersFacing a litany of questions over sexual harassment allegations that have left his career in tatters, the hedge fund tycoon Crispin Odey has told a court he does not remember cornering a female employee after a boozy lunch and saying to her “I could attack you now”.The 67-year-old made the comments during his first day in the witness box as part of a three-week court case that Odey hopes will overturn the City regulator’s decision to ban him from the UK’s financial services industry. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Reeves slips into yoga voice to try to soothe fears over costs of Trump’s war | John Crace
The chancellor was meant to set out her contingency plans but it was an announcement without any announcements in itYou have to feel a bit sorry for the chancellor. Roughly four weeks ago, Rachel Reeves had come to the Commons to deliver her spring statement. A moderately upbeat picture of the nation’s finances that didn’t necessarily coincide with people’s lived experience. Still, it more or less did the trick. Bought her another six months until the autumn budget. Or so she thought.Now, thanks to the orange manchild sociopath in the White House, her forecasts are in tatters. And Reeves can’t even begin to assess the damage because there is no end to the war in sight. In the best-case scenario, the economy might just be in intensive care. The worst doesn’t bear thinking about. A full-scale financial meltdown. There again, we don’t even know what the world will look like in the next few weeks, let alone the next six months. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Fortnite-maker Epic Games lays off 1,000 more staff
It is the second time in recent years the company has announced lays offs due to struggles with its blockbuster online game.
theguardian.com
UK defence firms ‘bleeding cash’ as delayed spending plan leaves industry in ‘paralysis’
Industry groups say delay to defence investment plan (DIP) leaves UK lagging behind in global race for fundingDefence manufacturers are going bust while others have been left in “paralysis” and “bleeding cash” as they wait for a long-delayed UK military spending plan for the next decade, MPs have heard.Industry groups said a more than six-month delay to the defence investment plan (DIP) had also left the UK behind Germany and the US in attracting cash from global investors. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Anthropic says Claude can now use your computer to finish tasks for you in AI agent push
Anthropic and its rivals are trying to ramp up capabilities of AI agents after OpenClaw went viral earlier this year.
bbc.com
What is happening to gas and electricity prices?
Typical household bills will fall by 7% when the new energy cap takes effect on 1 April 2026.
bbc.com
Reeves plans energy bill help for those 'who need it most'
The US-Israel war with Iran is having an impact on costs domestically, with oil and gas prices soaring.
cnbc.com
Abivax in no rush for a deal, confident key June trial data can secure better terms for partnerships, CEO tells CNBC
Analysts see the biotech company as a prime takeover target and several pharma giants have been rumored as potential buyers.
theguardian.com
What levers could Rachel Reeves pull to help with rising prices?
What the chancellor could do to counter the economic impacts of Iran war, from stopping price gouging to cancelling fuel duty risesReeves rules out universal support on energy billsBusiness live – latest updatesRachel Reeves updated MPs on Tuesday about the steps the government was taking to cushion the impact of the Iran war on consumers and the UK economy. The chancellor stopped short of announcing specific immediate support but said she was contingency planning for the tough months ahead.Here are some of the levers she could pull: Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Kalshi and Polymarket ban insider trading as senators look to curb prediction markets
Top prediction market sites usher in new guardrails after senators introduced bill that could limit booming industryKalshi and Polymarket, the two biggest prediction market sites, rushed to institute new industry guardrails and add new surveillance tools on Monday after two key senators announced legislation that could severely curtail the industry’s prospects.Kalshi said it would ban political candidates from trading on their own campaigns, and it would pre-emptively block anyone involved in college or professional sports from trading contracts related to the sports they play or are employed by. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why is the US so expensive? Everything comes in a ‘premium’ version, from doctors’ appointments to movies | Arwa Mahdawi
Want a good view of the cinema screen? You’ll need to sign up to the VIP scheme. A quick chat with your doctor? An extra $50,000 will let you jump the queue‘What’s great about this country is America started the tradition where the richest consumers buy essentially the same things as the poorest,” Andy Warhol wrote in 1975. “You can be watching TV and see Coca-Cola, and you can know that the President drinks Coke [and] you can drink Coke, too … The idea of America is so wonderful because the more equal something is, the more American it is.”Fifty years later, it’s still true that the Diet Coke Donald Trump is chugging by the caseload in the Oval Office is exactly the same stuff his public can buy in a local shop. But the idea that mass consumerism is characterised by equality is about as dead as Warhol is. There are precious few products or experiences that haven’t been segmented into multiple tiers, from “embarrassing pauper” to “ultra-VIP”, in order to extract as much money from the consumer as possible. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Divide between Silicon Valley and ordinary people grows ever larger
Big tech believes the future is AI while everyday Americans remain wary; and the dangers of riding in a Tesla Cybertruck Hello, and welcome to TechScape. I’m your host, Blake Montgomery. This week in tech, we discuss a moment of divergence between Silicon Valley and everyday people; deep cuts at Meta to maximize spending on AI; writers caught using AI; and the frightening, fiery crashes of the Tesla Cybertruck.How the FBI can conduct mass surveillance – even without AIKash Patel admits under oath FBI is buying location data on AmericansWhy is the FBI buying people’s location data and how is it using the information? Continue reading...
bbc.com
Australia and EU agree sweeping trade deal in face of global uncertainty
Australia and the EU sign sweeping trade and security deals after years of negotiations.
bbc.com
Low-deposit mortgage deals hit as rates continue to soar
More than 200 first-time buyer deals have disappeared from the market, with more upheaval expected.
theguardian.com
‘I’d smoke Biscoff if I could’: how a little Belgian biscuit became a social media sensation
Biscoff-based recipes are breaking the internet – everything from cheesecakes and milkshakes to prawn dishes and salads. A few traditionalists are even enjoying the biscuits on their own. What’s behind this sweet success story?Around 15 years ago, Ashley Markle was admitted into a secret world, introduced to the treasures of an exclusive supply chain. She was staying at her aunt’s house and, one morning, when her aunt made her a coffee, she placed a little plastic-wrapped biscuit on the side. “I’d never seen them before,” says Markle. She bit into it: “It was a warm flavour that I’d never really had in a cookie. I’m like, what is this?”Her aunt had discovered the small, gently spiced Biscoff biscuits as an airline snack. She loved them so much that she contacted the maker, Belgian company Lotus, and asked them to ship a box to her in the US. At that time, says Markle, “I think she was the only person who actually had them in her home.” But, as we all know, the world changes rapidly. Last year, Biscoff was the fastest-growing biscuit brand in the US. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Vet prescription fees to be capped at £21
Vets will have to publish price lists for services under measures from the UK's competition watchdog.
theguardian.com
Airbnb in firing line as Cape Town’s housing crisis catches up with middle class
Social media full of complaints about digital nomads, while waiting list for social housing gets longerEarlier this month, graffiti appeared on the promenade in Sea Point, on Cape Town’s wealthy Atlantic Seaboard: “Digital nomads go home! Now!”Social media is full of complaints about the abundance of American and German accents, foreign property buyers, and properties being listed on Airbnb, all of which are being blamed for soaring housing costs. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
David Pocock gives furious speech saying the government has failed on gambling advertising – video
Independent senator David Pocock has recounted stories of young men he says have confided in him about their gambling addiction. The senator says numerous young men have opened up to him about the losses and the shame they feel and how 'damn hard it is to actually deal with it when you're getting bombarded with ads. Bombarded.' Pocock's speech in the Senate comes 1,000 days after Peta Murphy's landmark report calling for the banning of gambling advertisements. 'A thousand days ago you were given the blueprint, a multipartisan-backed report saying this is what we need to do,' Pocock says, adding, 'the Albanese government has failed Australians when it comes to banning gambling advertising'It's 978 days since Peta Murphy called for a ban on betting ads. What happened to Labor's pledge to respect parliament? Continue reading...
bbc.com
China dials back on fuel price hikes to 'reduce burden' on drivers
It comes as countries across the region are taking various measures to weather the soaring cost of fuel.
bbc.com
US bans new foreign-made consumer internet routers
There are almost no major brands of internet routers that are manufactured in the US.
bbc.com
Would you build your own apps?
Start-ups are offering tech for novices to create apps with the help of AI.
bbc.com
UK must back North Sea oil and gas drilling, says trade body
The group says the country "urgently" needs to produce its own oil and gas to secure supplies.
theguardian.com
‘We consider every mile we drive’: how fuel shortages are affecting readers worldwide
From a shop owner in India to a community worker in New South Wales, rising fuel prices are forcing people to ration oil usageMiddle East crisis – live updatesAlagesan, 35, needs liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to run his roadside drink and snack shop in Coimbatore, India, but with the fuel shortage since the US-Israel attacks on Iran, he worries his business could fold.“I am far away from the Middle East, but my life is affected,” he said. “The gas cylinder is not available because of the war. I don’t know what to do.” Continue reading...
bbc.com
Cosmetics giant Estée Lauder in merger talks with owner of Jean Paul Gaultier and Rabanne
The deal would create a global beauty giant, uniting brands such as Tom Ford, Bobbi Brown and Rabanne.
bbc.com
Oil falls and shares rebound after Trump says talks have been held to end war
Energy prices fall and stock markets rebound after the US president says "very good and productive" talks have been held.
bbc.com
HS2 trains could run slower than planned to save money
The government is looking at ways to make much-delayed London to Birmingham railway line cheaper to deliver.
bbc.com
Huel bought by Danone in €1bn deal
The health firm backed by actor Idris Elba and broadcaster Jonathan Ross is being bought by Danone for €1bn (£860m).
theguardian.com
Trump rows back on strait of Hormuz threat – what next? | podcast
The US president has extended by five days his deadline to ‘hit and obliterate’ Iran’s power stations and energy infrastructure if Tehran does not allow shipping to move freely. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss what is behind this change of tone and the impact the uncertainty will have on the cost of living in the UK.Plus, with just over six weeks until the local elections, they talk through what to watch as the results come in Continue reading...
bbc.com
OnlyFans owner Leonid Radvinsky dies at 43
Leo Radvinsky became a billionaire after investing in the site, known for its pornographic content.
bbc.com
'We can't justify a £52 lunch': Middle-income families cut back on days out
A household with an average gross income of £55,000 has cut spending on leisure activities by £40 a week, offical figures suggest.
theguardian.com
BT keeps my 90-year-old mother waiting three months to reinstate phone number
Ordeal left vulnerable woman living alone cut off from family, friends and doctorsMy 90-year-old mother was sent home from hospital to die at the end of last year. Since she lives alone, and I’m her sole carer, it was essential that she get broadband so a personal alarm could be fitted.BT told her she’d have to have a temporary phone number while Openreach carried out the work. Continue reading...
bbc.com
US weight-loss drugmakers slash prices in fight to win customers
Weight-loss drug prices are falling in the US - but can the example be repeated?
theguardian.com
World losing more barrels of oil each day than in two 1970s crises combined, IEA chief says – video
Dr Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency, says the world's energy situation after the US and Israeli-led attack on Iran is now ‘very serious’. He told the National Press Club the energy crisis of today was more problematic than the combined effects of the two oil crises of 1973 and 1979 and the gas crisis sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. ‘So the situation is, if we want to put in a context – this crisis as it stands now, two oil crises and one gas crash put all together,’ he saidFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Luxury takes time. We don’t have time’: The former top military officer on a mission to fix the Dutch housing crisis
Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan plans to simplify the housebuilding process to tackle shortage of 400,000 homesElanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan is on a mission. The new housing minister of the Netherlands is charged with building 100,000 homes a year and breaking through a planning deadlock to combat one of Europe’s worst housing crises.The Irish-born 50-year-old is new to politics. Until a fortnight ago she was the country’s top female military officer, famous for getting flak jackets redesigned for women’s bodies and holding her own in a male-dominated sphere. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘You can feel it’: South Yorkshire revival gathers pace as new industries move in
From steel to screen, podcasts to defence, Sheffield’s economy is diversifying amid a wave of new investmentIt has seen its fair share of Hollywood parties – albeit with a twist. Instead of champagne and caviar it is usually Guinness and scampi fries. Red carpet? There aren’t even cushions on the seats.The tiny Sheffield pub, Fagan’s, has raised more than a few toasts in the last year as Adolescence, the Netflix hit made by two of its owners, scooped multiple awards at the Emmys and Golden Globes and became one of the world’s most-watched dramas. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Germany has a shortage of workers - so it's turning to India for help
The European nation, struggling to find skilled staff, is giving jobs to young people from India.
cnbc.com
Not just buying 'things': Why China's emotional economy is on the rise
Amid a prolonged economic slowdown, one segment of the world's second-largest economy is growing quicker than the rest: China's so-called emotional economy.
theguardian.com
Moma brand recalls porridge products over possible mice contamination
Customers told not to eat affected pot and sachet products and to return them to place of purchase for refundSeveral porridge products in the UK have been recalled over a possible mice contamination at their manufacturing site.The British porridge and oat drink brand Moma issued a warning for seven versions of its pots and two of its sachets. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘The new ketchup’? How hummus spread beyond a niche into a British staple
News that chickpea dip is to join list of products used for UK inflation basket confirms its move into the mainstreamThe best (and worst) supermarket hummus tasted and ratedIt is a sign of the times. This week it was revealed that hummus is joining the list of foods used to measure the cost of living in Britain as the ubiquity of the dip at mealtimes sees it billed as the “new ketchup”.The decision to drop a pot of hummus in the inflation basket is a moment for the all-conquering chickpea dip, which arrived on supermarket shelves in the late 1980s. Since then Britons have gone from spending virtually nothing to £170m a year on the versatile stuff. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘We can create hype’: H&M’s UK boss on its commitment to the high street
As the chain marks 50th anniversary in Britain, Karen O’Rourke explains what makes it stand out against cut-price rivalsAlmost exactly 50 years after H&M opened its first British store, the doors on its newest, in Brighton, swung open this week and the Swedish fashion company’s UK boss is determined to keep investing in the nation’s high streets despite its struggles.In 1976, H&M opened in the brand-new Brent Cross shopping centre, the first American-style out of town mall to grace these shores. Its opening was such an event that the then Prince Charles attended. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Friendship fraud: warnings of rise in ‘insidious’ scam targeting older people
Fraudsters exploit isolation and search for human contact to often devastating effect. These are steps you can take to avoid themAs you have got older, retirement has left you with more time on your hands. Loneliness has set in. Luckily, you have found a friend through one of the online motoring groups you are in, and a close bond has blossomed over your common interest in cars.But your new friend has found themselves short when it comes to paying for their university textbooks, and has asked you for £50. It’s not much, and you get on so well that you agree to pay via bank transfer. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘The stakes are enormous’: how a prolonged Iran war could shock the global economy
Donald Trump’s ‘little excursion’ is likely to have long-term effects, from oil prices to inflation to growth, say expertsIn the days after the US and Israel first bombed Iran, financial markets bet the economic fallout from Donald Trump’s “little excursion” in the Middle East would be short-lived.“There are risks from higher oil prices longer term. But this is a tail risk,” one US-based fund manager said after the airstrike killing Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “History has shown time and time again that geopolitical flare-ups like this tend to be short-lived. This one should prove to be no exception.’’ Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Club vibes without the hangover': The twenty-somethings going out - in the gym
Young people are driving a gym boom as more fitness spaces are transformed into vibrant hangouts.
theguardian.com
‘Liquid gold’: heating oil thefts rise in Northern Ireland as Iran war sends prices soaring
Police issue alerts and security tips to households reliant on heating oil to deter a crime that can leave victims with bills of thousandsThere is no subtle way to receive heating oil deliveries in rural Northern Ireland: clearly marked tankers trundle through roads and lanes and park outside homes while they replenish storage tanks.The trucks’ comings and goings are visible to the entire community, indicating which households have stocked up on oil, and that is a problem because criminals monitor deliveries to identify targets. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘It’s stupid’: why western carmakers’ retreat from electric risks dooming them to irrelevance
Iran war should be wake-up call about costs of not going full throttle towards EVs as Chinese have done, experts sayBy the 1980s, Detroit’s once titanic carmakers were being upended by rivals from Japan. Ford, General Motors and Chrysler had grown rich selling gas guzzlers, but when oil prices rose and suddenly cheap, fuel-efficient Japanese models looked attractive, they were unprepared. The collapse in sales led to hundreds of thousands of job losses in the automotive heartland of the US.Now western car manufacturers are making what one former boss calls a similar “profound strategic mistake” as they pull back from electric vehicles (EVs) and refocus on the combustion engine just as oil prices are soaring once again. Experts say the industry’s future – and that of tens of millions of jobs – could be on the line. This time, however, the threat is from China. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Home working, long leases and rise of parking apps - what went wrong for NCP
How could a company that charged as much as £65 for a day's parking fail to turn a profit?
bbc.com
Did you know you could transfer your ISA?
Martin Lewis explains how you can make the most of your ISA.
bbc.com
Colombia's budding tech scene needs a cash boost
Colombia has become a tech hub for Latin America, but attracting investors is a challenge.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
bbc.com
Why the average age of a first-time buyer has risen
The average age of a first-time buyer in England has risen from 29 to 34.
bbc.com
How Finnish supermarkets are central to the country's defence
The chains all have detailed plans to follow in the event of the nation going to war.
bbc.com
Is it possible to build a plastic-free home?
Using plastic in construction is cheap and easy, but some are trying to radically cut back its use.
bbc.co.uk
Selling Sheffield Wednesday
BBC Sport looks at one of England’s most famous football clubs’ fight for survival.
bbc.com
Ukraine's urgent fight on the financial frontline
The war-torn country is battling to secure crucial funding from the IMF and EU, as well as putting up taxes.
bbc.com
Why has Trump eased sanctions on Russian oil - and will it help Putin?
The US said easing sanctions on Russian oil would provide only a limited financial boost to Putin.
bbc.com
Dharshini David: Economy on shaky ground even before Iran war
The government's hopes that 2026 would be the year when growth picks up are at risk of being scuppered.
bbc.com
Can Ukraine's war-torn wheatfields be cleansed?
Researchers take 8,000 soil samples from battlefields to see if it is safe to grow crops.
bbc.com
Can plastic-eating fungi help clean up nappy waste?
Cost and convenience have made disposable nappies dominant - can start-ups compete?
bbc.com
A small US grocer is calling out the lower prices at big chains
It is 'impossible for us to compete', says the boss of a New York grocery store.
bbc.com
The Aldi-style disruptors who could be about to shake up the vets market
As pet owners complain of rising prices, independent practices want to take on the big chains.
bbc.com
GPS jamming: The invisible battle in the Middle East
GPS jamming has made navigation hazardous in the Gulf, spurring efforts to develop alternatives.
bbc.com
Spain's migrants welcome amnesty: 'It will help us in every way'
Madrid cites humanitarian and economic reasons to give undocumented workers legal status.
bbc.com
Can snacks help you sleep?
Chocolates, bars, gummies and drinks promise to help you sleep, but is the science behind them sound?
bbc.com
We have more privacy controls yet less privacy than ever
Has online privacy become "a luxury not a right" for us all in 2026?
cnbc.com
Register now: Applications open for the World's Top Fintech Companies 2026
CNBC and Statista chart the top fintech players from around the world, ranging from startups to Big Tech names.
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
bbc.com
Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?
bbc.com
Budget 2025: What's the best and worst that could happen for Labour?
Three days in, after a tax U-turn and partial climbdown on workers' rights, Laura Kuenssberg looks at what impact Budget week might have.
bbc.com
Has Britain's budget watchdog become too all-powerful?
Ahead of this week's Budget, some have accused the Office for Budget Responsibility of being a "straitjacket on growth"
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